When Burt Henry assumed the role of FFA Foundation board chairman, he hit the ground running. Not only was he juggling thousands of tractor raffle tickets and working to broaden the reach of the Ag Heritage license plate by having Michigan businesses take the Plate Pledge, but he also decided to create a lasting legacy within Michigan FFA. Along with his wife, Cheryl, they have established a family endowment to support of the future of the organization. The Henry-Schnabelrauch Family FFA Endowment will specifically help fund FFA State Officer activities and travel.

“We created the endowment to give back to the organization that has provided our family with so much,” Henry said. “The National Blue and Corn Gold run through all our veins. It’s the right thing to do to give back to something that has given us so much. Our family has gained many life changing experiences from being involved at all levels of the FFA and it has provided our children with a clear path to career success. I can assure all that had it not been for my involvement in FFA and serving as a State FFA Officer, I would not be where I am today.”

Burt and Cheryl’s three children – Alex, Jordan, and Brant – were all FFA members. Alex and Jordan served as FFA State Officers and in 2009-2010, Alex had the distinct honor of being Michigan’s first female FFA National Officer. Alex also currently sits on the Michigan FFA Foundation board as a representative of Farm Bureau.

With this gift commitment, Burt and Cheryl are helping to put Michigan FFA on solid financial footing for future generations of members. It’s also a way for Burt to lead by example. “I would challenge all who have been impacted like our family to consider a gift to the Michigan FFA Foundation,” Henry said. “We are people with simple means and found it to be quite a bit easier and more manageable than one might think.”

Reflecting on his time being involved with all aspects of FFA, from member to advisor to Foundation chairman, Burt said, “The most important thing for me is watching students succeed. While personal success is great there is nothing that compares to watching students who work so very hard find success. The icing on the cake is when it is your children having that success. We have been truly blessed to be involved in such a great organization.”